More from Football

Numbers Game

Sunderland are the Value Bet to win at Wigan, while Ipswich are picked as the even-money Banker.

Last Updated: 18/01/13 5:50pm

Sunderland: Fancied at Wigan

Last week's Numbers Game enjoyed a stellar week with the 7/2 Value Bet landing with Rickie Lambert on the mark first for Southampton. Manchester United also obliged in beating Liverpool at 19/20 - landing the Banker. And there was also a big winner for @MattPBriggs in Famous Last Words as Bristol Rovers beat Fleetwood at a tasty 9/2, while Burnley also came good at 13/8.

Unfortunately the weather has wiped out much of the Football League action this week so the tips are few and far between.

VALUE BET

Wigan have won just one of their last nine Premier League games and only one of their last six on home soil and they look vulnerable against improving Sunderland. The Latics will be without Ivan Ramis and Arouna Kone once more and they look a short price at the DW Stadium. With that in mind I'm quite happy to take them on with a Sunderland side that is likely to welcome back Steven Fletcher and John O'Shea. Alfred N'Diaye and Kader Mangane are also available to add some much-needed muscle.

STEAMERS

Sky Bet say this week's popular selections are unsurprisingly Liverpool. The Reds are popular every week and their battling defeat at Old Trafford last week has enhanced their reputation further within the market, giving them a current quote of 2/7 after we opened 1/3 against Norwich.

After a lot of movement in the lower leagues, a lot of the matches are falling to the weather, but it's worth noting that MK Dons and Scunthorpe were both very well supported before having their respective matches cancelled this week.

WHO'S HOT

Manchester United (6/4) won last four Premier League game and visit Tottenham (21/10) (Sun, 4pm).

Manchester City (2/7) won last three Premier League games and host Fulham (13/1).

Leicester (8/11) won last three Championship games and host Middlesbrough (17/4) (Fri).

Walsall (23/10) won last three League One games host Bournemouth (13/10).

WHO'S NOT

West Brom (3/4) lost last three Premier League games and host A Villa (17/4) (5.30pm).

Huddersfield (4/1) are 11 Championship games without a win and travel to Watford (4/5).

TRADERS' VIEW

Sky Bet: Chelsea blew a lead at home to Southampton midweek and continue to stutter at home - probably not aided by the anti-Rafa Benitez brigade. If Fernando Torres gets the start at the weekend, we feel he will continue to hurt his team, and if he gets the nod ahead of Demba Ba this week we would be happy to take the hosts on at prices around the slight odds on mark.

BOGEY TEAMS

Liverpool (4/11) have won six and lost none of their last seven Premier League games v Norwich (10/1).

Man City (2/7) have lost none of their last seven Premier League games v Fulham (13/1).

Reading (4/1) have lost all seven away matches v Newcastle (4/5) in all competitions.

Arsenal (100/30) have won away at Chelsea (evens) more often than any other Premier League side (seven times).

BANKER

Mick McCarthy has added some firepower at Portman Road with home debuts for strikers David McGoldrick and Aaron Mclean. Fellow new boys Patrick Kisnorbo and Frank Nouble are likely to be on the bench for Ipswich who have won four of their last eight games and they should be good enough to sink the Tykes.

HOT-SHOTS

Leicester's Chris Wood has nine in five and is even money to score v Middlesbrough (Fri).